The O 19 class finally gave the Dutch fleet a purpose-built minelaying submarine, using twenty vertical tubes to carry forty mines alongside eight torpedo tubes. O 19 sank several ships before grounding on Ladd Reef in 1945, where USS Cod rescued her crew and destroyed the wreck. Only two boats were built, limiting the fleet's ability to scatter minefields across Japanese approach routes. Hidden minefields could slow amphibious forces, demand minesweepers, and continue shaping movement after the submarine had departed.
Chapter · 56:15-1:00:08
O 19 turns one submarine into two threats
The O 19 class paired heavy torpedo armament with forty mines, allowing each boat to threaten one area while operating elsewhere.